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Summary: It will leave you breathless.
Review: I had never read any fantasy or King Arthur/Merlin novels. Zimmer Bradley's novel was a great introduction to a now favoured genre. I have only one criticism of this work and it has nothing to do with the writer (who is a literary genius, in my humble opinion) or with the story (which was enthralling, rivetting, entertaining and all adjectives of a similiar meaning.) My criticism of this book stems purely from my own personal annoyance at the self-righteous, hypocritical and ultimately destructive, behaviour of Guinevere. My cries of anger, dismay and frustration at the behaviour of this annoying woman had my father rushing into my room at 3am thinking something terrible was happening. (He wasn't too happy to know he'd been woken because of my reactions to a book.) But this is no reason to not read this fabulous book. It will give you great pleasure to know that all her self-righteousness and hypocrisy lead to her own eternal misery. A great consolation for an adamant anti-Guineverian!
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Summary: READ THIS BOOK BEFORE YOU DIE
Review: I lent this book to a friend once, and he never returned it. The fact that a guy kept this book shows how good it is. Some readers may be troubled by the sheer mass of this masterpiece. Don't be - it reads incredibly fast. The characters incredibly well-written, complex, believeable, relateable, and three-dimensional. It amazes me a little that this book would be included in the young adults section, as I remember trying to read it when I was a "young adult" and put it down because of some of the adult situations. Nevertheless, this is a powerful story. You will hear much about the God v. Goddess/patriarchy v. matriarchy/women as chattle v. female equality themes that run through this book. In my mind, this is a story about tolerance, which is, sadly, a lesson we still need to learn in this day and age. I concur with every other review I've read so far of this novel, that being YOU MUST READ THIS BOOK.
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Summary: Great Fantasy!
Review: This is a big book and glad it is, because as each page turns, you want it to keep continuing. It is about the intuitive powers of women and reinforces the possibility that we all have those powers within us. There is romance, mystery and fantasy. This would be enjoyable mostly to those who believe in intuitive powers.
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Summary: Mists of Avalon changed my life!
Review: This book is the best thing that ever happened to me. Thecharacters are 3-dimensional and beautiful. The setting is realistic and enchanting. But most of all, I loved reading about the conflict between new and old religions, Christianity and Goddess worship. This is essentially the main struggle in the book. It made me realize that I was not on the right path for me. It made me think about life and death. And made me see the beauty in the world around me...
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Summary: Fascinating new approach to an old story
Review: I will be eternally grateful to the person that lent me this book. As an English major in college I took several courses involving Arthurian legend and have NEVER read anything as good as this. In telling the story through the women's perspectives, namely Morgaine, the story gains alot more sensitivity and humanity. I was enthralled throughout the entire book and found myself wishing it would never end. I agree with other reviewers that it is impossible to write a review that would do justice to this masterpiece. If you have any interest whatsoever in legend/fantasy YOU MUST READ THIS BOOK.
Rating: 
Summary: I am mortal
Review: The hours I spent trying to read this book will not be returned to me at the end of my life. Those were the thoughts that raced through my mind as I read past page 100 on the third attempt to finish this book. I am very sympathetic to the concept of strong women and a review of the Arthur legend in that light. Which is perhaps one of the reasons why I was so disappointed. The women seemed feeble to me, and I could not spot any real drive - which I really think you should be able to after 100 pages of a book. So, with the lack of motivation inside the book, my own motivation outside the book got lost. Life is short, and this book is long. If you are not into feeble women's court intrigues, this book ain't for you.
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Summary: The Reality of Fantasy
Review: There are very few books that I liked as much as this one. I've tried to read another Arthurian legend book and found it so unappealing that I didn't even make it halfway through, and that's why I did not want to read The Mists of Avalon when the option first came to me. But I found it so incredibally compelling that I could not stop reading it. The characters seemed so real,I felt strongly about all of them, as if I knew them. For instance, I found myself really understanding Morgaine and loathing Gwenhwyfar. This book also contained all the elements of a story that people find intriguing in life and in fantasy. I could really feel the characters' pain, happiness, love, and their anguish. I never read another book that made me feel as many emotions as that one, and I reccommend it to anyone who ever doubted their religion or felt alone.
Rating:
Summary: Five Stars just isn't enough...
Review: This is an incredible book. There's no two ways about it. It's so good that it's infuriating to read insulting reviews on it. This is a book you'll never forget. I'm so envious of all the people out there that get the chance to read this book for the first time. You'll cry when you finish this book, not because it's sad, but because you miss the characters. Just read this book, it's something you should do. It's not that famous, it's not a classic, but it's so worth reading. This review doesn't do it justice. Just read the book.
Rating:
Summary: Not as good as they all say
Review: For all the good things I've heard about this book - including the reviews posted here - I am very disappointed. I had hoped to find a compelling read, one that captured my imagination with a vivid and engaging retelling of the Arthurian legend, filled with gracious and heroic characters. Instead, I find weak willed men, idiotic women, the author proselytizing paganism, and "feminist" viewpoints so outrageous as to be funny. Arthur is an effective king but a weak and nondescript man. Lancelot is annoying, not noble, in his suffering. Gwenivere is utterly pathetic. Morgaine is the saving grace of this panopoly of dull-wits, but even she fails to connect to a truly intelligent audience of readers for the way she weaves in and out of the story, letting things happen to her and taking no action herself. To me the worst parts of the book were those where the storyteller was not Morgaine. On the brighter side, the story is fairly well written, and compelling in that I do not know very much about the Arthur legend. I finished reading it so that I could find out what happened more than for any allegiance or interest in the characters. On the whole, do not buy this book. Or if you do, buy it used as I did. You'll be happier for it.
Rating:
Summary: absolutely wonderful
Review: this is one of the best books Ive read. Its kinda long but every page of the book is exeptional. Its an authurian story but from the female characters points of veiws, it switches from girl to girl. the main character it focuses on is morgain le fay. it shows her sorrows, her happiness, and her fears. unlike other arthurian legends morgause is the sister of the lady Igraine, not the sister of Igraine. another thing I liked about this book is the way it kinda had the point of veiw of the pagans, not just the britons (it did have the britons point of veiw too) Lady of avalon and the forest house are both good, but not as good mists of avalon. its hard to come up with words to describe this fasinating story with. It is definately one of the best books Ive read. I think that everyone should read this book!
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